So You Want To Write?
@syww.org
Helping writers finish their books and publish successfully! We connect writers with experts like Literary Agents, Editors, and published Authors. One-on-one and group programs, query reviews, and more.
Show (your protagonist) don't tell, Jane Friedman's report, and a local event
Writer High Five: September 25, 2026
Publishing opportunities...The Phare - Prose & Poetry - General (see guidelines) - November 27 (submission fee)Abraxas Review - Prose & Poetry - General - November 30Wallstrait - Prose - General - December 1 (submission fee, but pays)Zoetic Press - Prose & Poetry (for 4LPH4NUM3R1C podcast) - Speculative - December 31 Expert insights...Last week industry expert Jane Friedman held her…
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Booktoberfest, publishing resource Kickstarter, and emotional (writing) support
Writer High Five: September 18, 2026
Publishing opportunities...Tar River Poetry - Poetry - September 30 (submission fee)Disco Kitchen - Prose & Poetry - General - October 31 (submission fee)Hushmarrow Press - Prose - The things we bury - November 15Odd Lobster Press - Prose & Poetry - November 23 Leveraging print sales...Author and publisher Mark Leslie Lefebvre will be releasing A Book In Hand in November 2026, a guide to help authors optimize their print sales.
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Quick romance (writing) help, Salman Rushdie, and an SF event...
Writer High Five: September 11, 2026
Publishing opportunities...shoegaze literary - Prose & Poetry - Reality Bites Back - October 15Lemondwood Quarterly - Prose (plays/short stories) - General (see guidelines) - October 16 (submission fee)Sabre Lake Publishing - Poetry - Senses - October 31Alchemical Journal - Prose- Literary Speculative - October 31 A quick-read resource...This week I picked up Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes…
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This fall's Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror group is closing soon.. #writers #sfwriters #fantasywriters #horrorwriters
Hurry! Registration closes soon!
Just a reminder that our Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror Coaching begins in just one week! Participants will get 10 weeks of accountability and feedback from the head of the Ladderbird Literary Agency, Beth Marshea! Submit up to 5K words per week...by the end of the program, you can have half of your novel professionally critiqued! Sign up now! We have just 3 seats left and registration closes this Thursday, September 10th!
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Good news for a change and spooky season publishing opportunities
Writer High Five, September 4, 2026
Time is running out to join us for 10 weeks of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror Coaching with Beth Marshea, head of the Ladderbird agency. You'll get weekly video calls, written and discussed feedback, and end up with 50K of your words critiqued and ready for the next steps! Publishing opportunities...Mnemosyne - Prose & Poetry - Divinity, Sovereignty, Healing - September 14…
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It's not too late (yet) to join this fall's Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror Coaching!
Last call for 10-week Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror Coaching!
We are looking to fill just one more seat in our upcoming Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror Writer Coaching program which begins in just two weeks! The coach: Beth Marshea, Owner of Ladderbird Literary Agency Day and time: Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Eastern Time Duration: 10 weeks What you get: Coaching, networking, accountability, feedback, weekly video meetings and written feedback.
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Publishing unions, new manga imprint, and Owen Sound book market.
Writer High Five: August 28, 2026
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror Coaching with Literary Agent Beth Marshea begins soon! Register now to take control of your writing with accountability and feedback! Publishing Opportunities...Little Fruits Magazine - Prose (flash) - replanted fairytales - September 22 (opens September 15)Kreatif - Prose & Poetry - General - September 25Sun Thief Journal - Prose & Poetry - General (see guidelines) - October 1…
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10-week Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction program starting soon! Don't miss out! #fantasywriter #horrorwriter #sfwriter
Calling all writers of fantasy, horror, and science fiction!
Are you ready to take your work up a level this fall? Join Literary Agent Beth Marshea for 10 weeks of coaching. In these small group sessions, you'll learn how to make your creatures more magical, your tech more believable, and your monsters more terrifying and your settings more believable. If you're struggling with plot structure, dialogue, or POV, Beth and your writing peers can help.
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When Words Collide, Word On The Street, and Toronto's Book Bar
Writer High Five: August 21, 2026
Writing fantasy, science fiction or horror? Register now for 10 weeks of coaching with Literary Agent Beth Marshea! Publishing opportunities...Dark Matter: Women Witnessing - Prose & Poetry - Prayer - September 4WAYE Small Press - Poetry - General/Featured (see guidelines) - September 6 (submission fees)Philly Chapbook Review - Prose & Poetry - General - September 15Encyclopedia Prismatica…
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When Words Collide, Writing Sprints, and Beth Marshea!
Writer High Five: August 13, 2026…ON HIATUS
We're on hiatus while we attend the When Words Collide festival in Calgary, Alberta! In the meantime, if you'd like to get a jump start on your autumn writing goals, check out these options: Literary Agent Beth Marshea's 10-week Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror Writer Coaching Program Expert one-on-ones Or join our weekly writing sprints on Facebook Messenger by emailing me back for an invite!
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Social reading, a rise in poetry, and publishing opportunities!
Writer High Five: August 7, 2026
Literary agent Beth Marshea's 10-week coaching workshop for Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror writers has opened for registration! Will we see you there? One-on-one coaching opportunities are also available from Beth and an amazing variety of experts in the publishing industry. Publishing Opportunities...Superpresent - Prose & Poetry - Not Knowing - September 15Art Sick - Poetry - General - September 30 (submission fee)
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Booker longlist, podcast to audio book, and our most popular course is open!
Writer High Five: July 31, 2026
Silly Goose Press - Prose & Poetry - Craft-forward whimsy - August 31Epistemic Literary - Prose & Poetry - Agency vs. Determinism - August 31Epistemic Literary: Nimblewitlit - Prose & Poetry - Choices - September 15Winnow Literary - Poetry - General - October 15 2026 Booker longlist...The 2026 Booker Prize long list has been announced. The collection includes both debut novelists and familiar names.
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Indie ideas, a solitary retreat, and what we're reading
Writer High Five: July 17, 2026
Publishing OpportunitiesSplit Rock Review - Prose & Poetry - Place, Environment, Natural World - August 1South Broadway Press - Poetry - General - August 27Jambu Press: The Veena - Poetry - Abundant Harvest - September 10 (submission fee)Fahmidan Journal - Prose & Poetry - General - September 14 Ideas for indies...Indie authors, take note! In…
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A writerly gathering, summer reads, and publishing opportunities!
Writer High Five: July 10, 2026
Publishing Opportunities...Poems for Persons of Interest - Poetry - General - July 31Tough Poets Review - Prose & Poetry - General (see guidelines) - August 1Superlative Literary Journal - Prose & Poetry - Growth - August 31 (submission fee)The SportScribe - Prose & Poetry - Sports (especially the darker side) - December 31 And even more publishing opportunities...
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Canadian SFF, Banned Books, and Publishing Opportunities
Writer High Five: July 3, 2026
Publishing Opportunities...Lemonwood Quarterly Contest - Prose - Unexplored human condition - July 17 (submission fee)The Marbled Sigh - Poetry - General - August 8 (emerging poets only, see guidelines)WayWords Tales Anthology - Prose & Poetry - The archives - September 15Unleash Press - Prose & Poetic letters - Dear Body/womanhood - January 12, 2027 (submission fee)
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Events, self-care, the Commonwealth Prize, and more
Writer High Five: June 26, 2026
Please note next week's writing sprints will take place on Tuesday, June 30 from 7-9pm ET to accommodate Canada Day on Wednesday! Email me to be added to our group chat! Publishing Opportunities...Instant Noodles Lit Mag - Prose (Flash) & Poetry - Al Dente - July 5Silly Goose Press Mini - Prose & Poetry - Offerings to the Sturgeon Moon - July 15…
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Dad-Reads, Sustainable Publishing, and more!
Writer High Five, June 19 2026
Dad-Reads, Sustainable Publishing, and more!
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Publishing opportunities, startling your friends, and an art festival
Writer High Five, June 12 2026
Publishing opportunities...Strange Hymnal - Prose & Poetry - Mystery, Ritual, Obsession (see guidelines) - June 30The Phare - Flash Fiction Competition - General - July 31 (entry fee)ANMLY - Prose & Poetry - General - August 1 (submission fee)Our Bold Voices - Prose - Forbidden Love - September 30 Startling your Muse...In Booklife, E.L. Tenenbaum shares some
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Publishing Opportunities, Halloween Romance, TV and more!
Writer High Five, June 5 2026
SYWW has been having a week of technical difficulties! If you've had an email to us bounce, please try again or send me a note at emily@syww.org! Publishing OpportunitiesVariant Lit Poetry Prize - Poetry - General - June 15 (entry fee)Baneberry - Prose - Horror - July 8The Dolomite Review - Prose & Poetry - The American Midwest - open submissions (sub fee)
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Publishing opportunities, writing retreats, and When Words Collide!
Writer High Five, May 29 2026
Publishing Opportunities...Superlative Literary Journal - Prose & Poetry - Growth - August 31 (submission fee)WayWords - Prose & Poetry - The Archives - September 15Our Bold Voices - Prose - Forbidden Love - September 30The Columbus Review - Prose & Poetry - Experimental - November 1 A writing retreat in nature...Looking to kick off your summer writing plans?
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Writer High Five, May 22 2026 Our writing sprints are still going strong every Wednesday (with occasional adjustments). Email me to be added to our Facebook chat and meet other writers, gain accountability, have some fun chats, and get those words on the page! Publishing opportunities...Hudson…
Writer High Five, May 22 2026
Our writing sprints are still going strong every Wednesday (with occasional adjustments). Email me to be added to our Facebook chat and meet other writers, gain accountability, have some fun chats, and get those words on the page! Publishing opportunities...Hudson Review - Poetry - General - June 30Petrichor Art & Literary - Prose & Poetry - General - August 1…
syww.org
Publishing Opportunities, Banning knowledge, Canadian Poetry
Writer High Five, May 15 2026
If you're looking for feedback on your writing or insight into the publishing industry, SYWW's experts are here to help. Agents, authors, and editors are all available for single or multiple sessions of one-on-one author coaching! Publishing opportunities...Quibble Lit - Prose & Poetry - Jungle - May 31Tint Journal - ESL Prose & Poetry - Nurture - May 31…
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Publishing Opportunities, Anthropic Settlement and more!
Writer High Five | May 1 2026
Publishing Opportunities...Encyclopedia Prismatica - Prose & Poetry - Suffering - May 8Unbound Ink - Prose & Poetry - General - May 15Unsolicited Press - Prose & Poetry - Peace - May 15Superpresent - Prose & Poetry - Mapping - June 15 Think twice... This week an author in the SYWW community asked us to share their experience with Austin Macauley, a publisher they had been with for several years.
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Publishing opportunities, agent tips, and the best literary film adaptation
Writer High Five: April 24 2026
Publishing Opportunities...delicate emissions - Poetry - General (see guidelines on format) - May 15Wild Lot Press - Prose (CNF) - Nightness - May 31 (contest)Jambu Press: The Veena - Poetry - Healing Waters - June 10 (submission fee)Fahmidan Journal - Poetry & Prose - General - June 15 Support a fellow author...If you're in the Mississauga, Ontario area on Sunday, May 17 come out and support Laurayne Byron, who will be signing copies of her book…
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Writer High Five: April 17 2026 Unfortunately due to a family medical emergency, the High Five needs to take a short break. The High Five will return next Friday!
Writer High Five: April 17 2026
Unfortunately due to a family medical emergency, the High Five needs to take a short break. The High Five will return next Friday!
syww.org
Publishing Opportunities, Books to Film, and the Booker
Writer High Five – April 3, 2026
Publishing Opportunities Little Fruits - Prose - Pink Moon - April 7 (window from April 1-7) Radix - Prose - Futures - April 30 (submission fee, limited waivers available) Blood Tree Literature - Prose & Poetry Contest - April 30 (submission fee) Faoileánach Journal - Prose & Poetry - Augural - April 30 Film-worthy titles... The 2026 Oscars have come and gone and may have left you with a list of movies you'd like to see soon.
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This week's Writer High Five - the first cross-posted to Bluesky!
Writer High Five, February 13th 2026
Publishing Opportunities...Philly Poetry Chapbook Review - Poetry - General - March 15The Vagabond's Verse - Prose & Poetry - Place (Complexities of living) - March 31Thimble Literary Magazine - Prose & Poetry - March 31Oyster River Pages - Prose & Poetry - General - May 15 Bookish Love...With Valentine's Day quite literally around the corner, we wanted to share this swoon-worthy story of a
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